• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.19-42
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• 2024

Objective: This study examines the generational characteristics and job perceptions of early childhood teachers from Generations X, M, and Z. Methods: Seventeen teachers were selected based on their career and the types of childcare centers they worked in. Focus group interviews explored their job perceptions, teaching methods, career intentions, and strategies to attract future teachers. Results: The results revealed both positive and negative generational perceptions, with Generation X and M noted for diverse job experiences and Generation Z for digital skills. Individual differences were also observed. All generations reported low job satisfaction due to societal perceptions and environmental changes. Many teachers plan to change jobs. The study suggests utilizing generational strengths for peer support to enhance professional development. Conclusion/Implications: Furthermore, improvements in societal perception and treatment of childcare jobs are needed to attract future teachers. The findings suggest implications for enhanced intergenerational communication and collaboration in the childcare field.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.561-572
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• 2024

An inclusive childcare capacity building program was designed to enhance teacher efficacy and attitudes toward the inclusion of childcare teachers. A total of 36 teachers working in childcare facilities in Gyeonggido participated in this study. Nineteen teachers were assigned to the treatment condition and 17 teachers were assigned to the control condition. The program explicitly addressed 15 topics, including screening and diagnosis, early development, characteristics of disability, family support and related services, IEP, and online site observation. The program was primarily delivered by field professionals using adult learning techniques such as small group activities, reflective journal writings, and online consultation. Teachers in the treatment group outperformed teachers in the control group on three measures of teacher efficacy, teacher play efficacy, and attitudes toward inclusion. The results were statistically significant. The increase in teacher efficacy, play efficacy, and attitudes toward inclusion of teachers was attributed to the well-designed program, encompassing early development, disability characteristics, small group discussions, and online support. The results highlight the importance of providing and disseminating a capacity building program for in-service teachers.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.75-106
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• 2013

This study aimed to analyze the trends of studies on estimation of cost for early childhood education and child-care services provided by both the kindergarten and child-care centers. A total of 21 papers including academic journals and policy research reports were collected. The papers were analyzed with the annual trends, research contents, and estimation methods of cost for early childhood education and child-care services. The main results of this study were as follows. Firstly, the studies on estimation of cost for early childhood education were performed earlier than the ones on estimation of cost for child-care services. The research contents were composed of analyzing operating expenses and estimating cost for early childhood education and child-care services. Secondly, there were similarities in the estimating processes of cost for early childhood education and child-care services, but the definition of operating expenses used for the estimation of cost differed. Thirdly, there were differences in the items of operating expenses inputted to estimate cost and in the calculation procedures of items in studies. Finally, based on the results, this study suggested what future studies and policy should consider in the estimation of cost for early childhood education and child-care services.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.57-72
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of teachers' vocational aptitude and sense of responsibility on their teaching efficacy in early childhood education and care. 259 teachers in ECEC were recruited from 19 daycare centers and the data were analyzed through frequency, percentage, Pearson's correlations, and stepwise regression using SPSS 18.0. The findings are as follows. First, teachers' teaching efficacy was significantly different according to their age, the number of years of teaching experiences, and education levels. Second, all degrees of teachers' vocational aptitude, sense of responsibility, and their teaching efficacy were higher than the median points. Second, teachers' efficacy relating with running class was affected most by the ability of safe management in vocational aptitude, and teaching methods in sense of responsibility. For teachers' efficacy relating to teaching, acceptability/sensitivity in vocational aptitude and motivation had the most impact. The implication was discussed in order to figure out the ways to increase teachers' efficacy.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.139-167
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• 2016

The purpose of this research is to develop more effective and systematic courage-related education in the early childhood education field. Through the previous research and literature review, the concept of courage was redefined and the type of courage was derived. After choosing 25 pictures books which relate to courage, we analyzed using the type of courage and their features. The results were as follows. First, courage is an act of trying voluntarily and continuously according to established clear goals based on personal beliefs in order to overcome inner and external difficulties. Second, we divided the courage into five types - Physical Courage, Challenge Courage, Belief Courage, Social Courage, Creative Courage- and presented each characteristic. Finally, by analyzing 25 picture books on the theme of courage according to these types and characteristics, it was confirmed that these picture books can be an important basis for courage-related education and development of a courage scale.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.23 no.1 s.73
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• pp.139-149
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• 2005

This study is to compare the quality of child care centers in Sweden and Korea and the mothers' satisfaction of each center. In this study, the quality of 27 preschools in Sweden and 24 child care centers was evaluated by external evaluator using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS). A total of 436 Korean mothers and 197 Swedish mothers responded to the questionnaire regarding their satisfaction of their child's attending child care centers. The results show that the quality of Swedish preschool was significantly higher than Korean child care centers. The quality of Swedish preschools tended to be good whereas the quality of Korean child care centers was somewhat minimal. Specifically, the category of 'Furnishings and display for children' was the highest score in Swedish preschool, however, the category of 'Adult needs' was the highest score in Korean child care centers. The mothers' satisfaction of the centers was significantly different between two countries. The Swedish mothers were highly satisfied with the close location of preschool but Korean mothers were highly satisfied with the teachers of child care centers. However, both mothers in two countries were less likely satisfied with the facility equipments. The results were discussed in terms of cultural and child care program differences further.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.111-133
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study is to find out how teachers organize and operate early childhood classroom, as play areas. Methods: Four teachers who had been aware of importance of play and were motivated to form an early childhood classroom as a play area were selected as research participants. Semi-structured interview and participatory observations were conducted to collected data. Results: The findings of the study are as follows. First, in regard to the role of the early childhood classroom as a play space, teachers supported the play of children and wanted to organize and operate the classroom as a play space. Second, as, play space, the teachers wanted to construct the space according to their own perception with children. Conclusion/Implications: The conclusions of this study are as follows. First, the teachers attempted to create play space by recognizing the contradictions that the classroom had. Second, the teacher organized the classroom into a play area and allowed the children to transform and create the space in their own.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.519-534
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• 2022

This study attempted to prepare a realistic support policy for the early childhood education field by specifically grasping the reality and perception of the 2019 revised Nuri curriculum play-based Education experience of the childcare center teacher. To this end, individual in-depth interviews were conducted with childcare center teachers in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, who had the current Nuri curriculum education experience. For the collected data, implications were derived using Hatch's(2002) pattern analysis and interpretative analysis, and Seidman's(2006) interview data analysis. As a result of this study, first, kindergarten and childcare center teacher apply the same integrated revised Nuri curriculum, but childcare center aims for education that considers childcare perspectives and safety more. Second, childcare center teachers had difficulties in educational matching in the process of linking self-directed open play activities in which infants were the main subjects. Third, childcare center teachers' educational understanding of play activities and ability to grasp values contribute to infant interaction and bond growth. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for a national policy plan for teacher education, exchange support, and infant ratio adjustment for effective education implementation of the current Nuri curriculum.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.227-248
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contents of pre-service early childhood teacher's practicum experience in kindergartens and child care centers through the analysis of practice teaching journals. The subjects of this study were a total 52 practice teaching journals of 26 pre-service early childhood teachers who completed their practicum in kindergartens and child care centers. This study analyzed the type of teaching practice management, the type of activities, and the contents of journal writings. The findings are as follows; First, pre-service teachers experienced a similar ratio of the type of teaching practice management in both types of teaching practice. Second, pre-service teachers performed more group activities in practicum in kindergartens, but more choice activities in practicum in child care centers. Third, the journal writing contents of pre-service teachers in both types of teaching practice mainly addressed the operating of educational and child care activities, and the execution of observing young children. But some categories of teacher's competency were hardly addressed. The results of this study could be used as basic data for designing early childhood practicum programs.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to verify the mediating effect of reflective thinking in the relationship between early childhood teachers' play-based curriculum implementation competences and their digital competences. Methods: An online survey was conducted targeting 330 early childhood teachers. Descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, and The Process macro model 4 were performed using SPSS 28.0 and The Process macro 4.1. Results: The main results of this study are outlined as follows: first, a significant positive correlation was observed between overall play-based curriculum implementation competences, reflective thinking, and digital competences, including each of their respective sub-factors. Second, the study revealed that reflective thinking played a partial mediating role in the relationship between early childhood teachers' play-based curriculum implementation competences and digital competences. Conclusion/Implications: Through this study, it was confirmed that when reflective thinking mediated play-based curriculum implementation competences, digital competences were further increased. The findings suggest that not only positive play-based curriculum implementation competences of teachers but also reflective thinking should be considered to enhance digital competences.